Which place is cheaper, Bologna or Plzen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Plzen or Bologna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Plzen and Bologna can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Plzen or Bologna?
Plzen
Renowned as the home of the pilsner beer, Plzen is a city located in the West Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. Beyond beer, it also features a number of impressive landmarks some of which include St. Bartholomew's Cathedral and the Great Synagogue.
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of the northern region of Italy, Emilia-Romagna, with a population of 380,000. It is a historical city known well by Italians, however, not as well known among foreigners. The locals of Bologna speak little to no English. The city is most known for having the oldest university in the West. Another reason many visit this city is because of its exquisite cuisine. Many Italians would consider it one of the most beautiful cities in the entire country because of its impeccably preserved historic centers. The best time to visit Bologna is usually between March and October, although bare in mind that July and August can get quite hot.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Czech Republic, The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlzen $101Bologna $172
The average daily cost (per person) in Plzen is $101, while the average daily cost in Bologna is $172. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Plzen and Bologna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlzen $61Bologna $94
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlzen $122Bologna $188
Compare Hotels in Plzen and Bologna
Looking for a hotel in Plzen or Bologna? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Plzen Hotel Prices and Bologna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Plzen $8.27Bologna $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plzen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Plzen:
- Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague: $87
- Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague with 2 hours for sightseeing: $115
- Private Transfer from Pilsen(Plzen) to Prague: $270
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bologna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bologna:
- Marconi Airport Bus Transfer to/from Calenzano City: $21
- Marconi Airport Bus Transfer to/from Florence City: $21
- Bologna Airport: Private Transfer: $43
- Bologna Airport transfer: $46
- Ravenna Port to Ravenna Hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- Bologna to Bologna Airport (BLQ) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Arrival Transfer Bologna Airport BLQ to Bologna City by Sedan: $56
- Private Transfer from Bologna City Hotels to Ancona Cruise Port: $76
- Bologna to Florence - Departure Private Transfer: $83
- Bologna Airport (BLQ) to Florence - Arrival Private Transfer: $86
- Bologna Airport (BLQ) to Bologna - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $92
- Ravenna port to Ravenna hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $92
Is it cheaper to fly into Plzen or Bologna?
Prices for flights to both Bologna and Plzen change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayPlzen $31Bologna $43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bologna
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bologna.
- Virtual Cooking Class: Ravioli variations with classic tomato sauce: $35
- Bologna Food Tour including Tagliatelle, Mortadella, Wine: $57
- Bologna Traditional Home Cooking Class with Lunch or Dinner: $73
- Exclusive Cooking Class - Pasta Tagliatelle Ragu & Spritz: $74
- Exclusive Bologna Cooking Class - Pasta Tagliatelle Ragu & Spritz: $75
- Traditional Bolognese Cooking Class with a Meal: $80
- Traditional Recipes Cooking Class with Local Wines: $82
- Hands on Home Cooking Class: $84
- Walking Food Tour with a Local Guide: $84
- Tastes and Traditions Food Tour with Market Visit: $84
- Tastes & Traditions of Food Tour with Market Visit: $86
- Bologna traditional food tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $92
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Plzen $21Bologna $41
Tours and Activities in Plzen
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Plzen are as follows:
- Pilsen: Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $8.56
- Pilsen Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $8.72
- Pilsen: Old Town Gastronomy Tour: $32
- Pilsen Private Walking Tour: $200
- Experience Best Prague Tandem Skydiving : $250
- Private Tour to Pilsner Urquell from Prague: $272
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bologna
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bologna are as follows:
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Food Tour (for 2)$34
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Wine Tasting Tour (for 2)$124
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Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour (for 2)$73
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National Gallery Museum Bologna (for 2)$13
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Archaeology Museum of Bologna (for 2)$13
Tours and Activities in Bologna
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bologna are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Bologna Walking Tour with Audio and Written Guide: $4.36
- From Italy eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.81
- A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Porta Galliera to Le Tre Frecce: $5.99
- Self-Guided Historical Audio Tour: $5.99
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $6.42
- Bologna Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
- Digital Guide made by a Local for your walking tour: $7.49
- Bologna's Ancient and Recent History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Ancient and Recent History Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlzen $23Bologna $30
Sample the Local Flavors in Plzen
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Plzen:
- Brewery Museum Entrance including a Glass of Beer: $6.54
- Pilsen: Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $17
- Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $17
- Pilsen Highlights Small-Group Tour and Pilsner Brewery Tour including Lunch and Beer Tasting: $108
- Pilsner brewery tour incl beer tasting & Czech town Pilsen: $140
- Day trip to Pilsner Urquell brewery and Bohemian glassworks: $207
Sample the Local Flavors in Bologna
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bologna:
- Modena area: Lambrusco Wine Tasting Experience: $38
- From Wine Tasting and Vineyard Tour with the winemaker: $53
- Monte San Pietro: Montevecchio Isolani Tour & Wine Tasting: $53
- Bologna Food & Wine tour with a local Chef: $69
- Wine Tasting Tour in One of the Oldest Inns: $70
- Bologna Wine Tasting in One of the Oldest Inns: $71
- Small-Group Half-Day Wine Tour with Tasting in Dozza Village: $102
- Taste the real Bologna Food and Wine tour: $107
- Wine Tasting Experience with a Local Guide: $118
- Exclusive Italian Wine Tasting: $131
- Food and Wine Tasting Tour in Bologna with a local guide : $138
- Italian Wine Tasting on the Panoramic Terrace in Bologna: $163
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Plzen and Bologna, we can see that Bologna is more expensive. And not only is Plzen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Plzen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Plzen and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Bologna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bologna than you might in Plzen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Plzen Expensive? and Is Bologna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Plzen or Bologna?
Bologna has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Plzen. When comparing the sizes of Plzen and Bologna, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Plzen or Bologna?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Plzen or Bologna in the Summer?
Both Bologna and Plzen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Bologna for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Plzen is generally cooler than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Plzen average around 20°C (67°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
It's quite sunny in Bologna. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Plzen. Plzen usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during summer. Plzen gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Plzen usually receives more rain than Bologna. Plzen gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPlzen 20°C (67°F)Bologna 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Plzen or Bologna in the Autumn?
Both Bologna and Plzen during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bologna because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
Plzen is cooler than Bologna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Plzen averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Bologna fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In the autumn, Plzen often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Plzen gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 177 hours of full sun.
Bologna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Plzen usually gets less rain in October than Bologna. Plzen gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPlzen 11°C (51°F)Bologna 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Plzen or Bologna in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Plzen and Bologna. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bologna this time of year.
It's quite cold in Bologna in the winter. The weather in Plzen can be very cold. In the winter, Plzen is much colder than Bologna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Plzen in January average around -1°C (31°F), and Bologna averages at about 2°C (36°F).
Plzen usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during winter. Plzen gets 45 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Plzen usually receives less rain than Bologna. Plzen gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPlzen -1°C (31°F)Bologna 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Plzen or Bologna in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Plzen as well as Bologna. Also, many travelers come to Bologna for the natural beauty.
In April, Plzen is generally cooler than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Plzen average around 11°C (51°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the spring, Plzen often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Plzen gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun.
Plzen usually gets less rain in April than Bologna. Plzen gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPlzen 11°C (51°F)Bologna 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Bologna and Plzen
| Plzen | Bologna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -1°C (31°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 2°C (35°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jul | 20°C (67°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (67°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (61°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (34°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.